Week 13 Review
The Cessnock District Cricket Competition got back underway after the Christmas interval last Saturday, with players and umpires battling the extreme conditions where in some areas around the district the mercury soared to 45 degrees.
A couple of personal milestones to note, with Mulbring first grade skipper Josh Lewis and Peden’s third grade opening batsman Aaron Moyle both notching tons.
Lewis hit 12 boundaries and cleared the fence on 7 occasions in a fine innings of 110 against Bellbird at Mulbring Oval, but unfortunately it was not enough to get his side home as they were asked to chase a mammoth total of 284, only to fall 16 runs short in the traditional grudge match.
Meanwhile Moyle faced the first and last ball of his team’s innings to remain unbeaten on 117 against Supporters at the Basin number 2. Unfortunately the gloss was taken off his ton with the match abandoned later on in the afternoon when lightning struck.
In first grade Bellbird, Mulbring and Greta/Branxton are all locked up at the top of the ladder after Bellbird just scraped home against Mulbring in a high scoring affair, while Greta/Branxton had to settle for a draw when lightning hit to abandon the game with the match evenly poised against Wine Country.
At Mulbring Oval Bellbird won the toss and elected to bat, and they amassed 7-284 from their forty overs. The highlight of the innings was number seven batsman Scott Miller’s 87 not out which included 10 maximums. He only came in to bat during the 33rd over of the innings. Jason Orr continued his good season form with 89 at the top of the order, with skipper Andrew Howson (41), Joey Main (26) and Shannon Attewell (14) all contributing to the more than healthy total. In a tough afternoon for the Mulbring bowlers Scott Robertson was their pick with 2-57 off 9 overs. Chad Lewis was next best with an expensive 2-76 off 10.
In reply the Marlins fell just 16 runs short in what must be the highest ever score batting second in a one-day game. They were 8-268 at the end of the game, with Lewis’ ton no doubt the highlight. Tony Bransdon was next best with a well-constructed 71, with Chad Lewis caressing 42. Miller completed a fine all-round game for the Tigers by taking 3-63 including the dangerous Josh Lewis after an unlikely victory appeared well within reach. Elliot Gyler was unusually expensive with 2-84 off 10.
Supporters Club stayed in touch with the competition leaders and are now just two points in arrears with a comfortable 6-wicket victory over Peden’s Hotel at Baddeley Park.
Supporters skipper Nathan Stapleford won the toss and surprisingly sent the visitors in to bat, but this shrewd move paid dividends, with the Piranhas skittled in the 22nd over for just 86. Skipper Pete Brennan kept things moving at the top of the order with a quick-fire 48, but unfortunately he lacked support from his fellow team mates and he was the only one to reach double figures. Supporters seamer Matt McCarthy may be a yard slower than he once was, but he still managed to keep the Piranhas batsmen guessing and finished with the very impressive figures of 5-20 off 6. Stapleford (2-17 off 4) and Paul Wright 2-6 off 1.5 supported well with a brace of wickets each.
In the final game of the round Greta/Branxton and Wine Country had to settle for a draw after their match at Allandale was abandoned due to lightning late in the day’s play.
Wood Ducks skipper Steve Hedger won the toss and elected to bat, and at 4-20 looked like they were going to be bowled out for a low total. Their innings was revived on the back of London import Andrew Bromhead who showed no signs of struggle adapting to the warm climate. He survived 6 dropped chances and a stumping to eventually hole out on the devils number 87. He received great support from number 9 batsman Scott Anderson who smashed 60 in no time at all, taking the home side up to a very competitive 9-201 from their forty overs. Brent Watson was Greta/Branxton’s best with the ball in the trying conditions, bagging 4-38 from his 10 overs. Mick Shelley was next best with 2-47 off 9.
In reply the temperature dropped considerably on the back of an afternoon southerly change, and players were near calling for the jumpers for the remainder of the match. Greta/Branxton were 3-111 after 26 overs when play was called to a halt because of lightning, and with the storm encroaching no further play took part and the match was declared a draw. Shelley (24) and Darren Holz (19no) both timed the ball nicely. Mark Anderson (2-26 off 7) was the home side’s best with the ball.
Second Grade
Greta/Branxton 2/51 (T. Fuller 18no, M. Hammond 15no, T. Goldman 1-7 off 3, D. Arnold 1-13 off 3.4) defeated Supporters 48 (Ashton Williams 14, D. Austin 6-19 off 9, A. Partridge 2-16 off 8, M. Peace 2-11 off 4).
Wine Country 2/86 (A Field 35, G. Oaks 24, M. Murnane 1-18, M. Harwood 1-22) defeated Criterion Hotel 72 (M. Murnane 35, N. King 17, L. Jeans 2-47 off off 5, N. Davey 2-3 off 3).
Bellbird defeated Mulbring (no details submitted).
Paxton defeated Peden’s Hotel (no details submitted).
Third Grade
Peden’s 3/210 (A. Moyle 117no) vs Supporters 7/115 game abandoned due to lightning.
Greta/Branxton defeated Paxton by forfeit.
Bellbird defeated Wine Country by forfeit.
Fourth Grade
Greta/Branxton Blue 8/195 (P. Walkling 41, K. Wilkinson 33, B. Lahey 26, S. Wilkinson 25, A. Wilkinson 21no, Troy Woods 3-31 off 9, Glyn Hayes 3-20 off 7) defeated Supporters 6/95 (Troy Woods 32, Brendan Hayes 19no, J. Wilkinson 2-8 off 6).
Paxton 7/162 (Jim Abbot 54, Matt Barnes 32no, Mick Watson 17, Steve Burgess 13no, B. Element 5-26 off 7, S. Hart 2-42 off 9) defeated Greta/Branxton 8/107 (G. Minchin 31, B. Lantry 23, J. Minchin 16, Steve Burgess 4-19 off 9, Matt Barnes 2-14 off 9).
Supporters Gold defeated Mulbring by forfeit.
Points Tables
First Grade Bellbird 64, Greta/Branxton 64, Mulbring 64, Supporters 62, Wine Country 47, Peden’s Hotel 39.
Second Grade Greta/Branxton 82, Bellbird 73, Supporters 72, Mulbring 65, Paxton 63, Peden’s Hotel 54, Wine Country 49, Criterion 36*.
* Lost points 12/1/13 for only having 6 players.
Third Grade Bellbird 70, Supporters 64, Paxton 58, Greta/Branxton 53, Peden’s Hotel 52, Wine Country 40.
Fourth Grade Supporters Gold 67, Greta/Branxton Blue 65, Greta/Branxton 60, Paxton
58*, Supporters 56, Mulbring 38.
* Lost points 12/1/13 for third grade forfeiting.
Club Championship Greta/Branxton 432.98, Supporters 414.20, Bellbird 398.70, Mulbring 329.15, Peden’s Hotel 271.80, Wine Country 271.60, Paxton 217.35, Criterion 72.
Club Championship Formula:- First Grade x 2.8, Second Grade x 2.0, Third Grade x 1.05, Fourth Grade x 0.525.
NB: Only Greta/Branxton Blue and Supporters fourth grade teams contribute to club championship points.